Archives

Raccoon

NOTE: Education Animals are “behind-the-scenes” animals & only appear to the public during Educational events. This includes scheduled events or programs such as daily animal mingles, private onsite programs, and zoo reaches. For more information, please reach out to edureservations@lvzoo.org.

Physical Description

Raccoons typically have greyish-brown fur on top and light gray fur underneath. The tail has 5 -7 complete dark rings, alternating with broader brown or gray rings. One hypothesis for the dark fur that covers its eyes is that it may help reduce glare and enhance the nocturnal animal’s night vision. Because its hind legs are longer than the front legs, they often appear hunched when they walk or run.

Predators

Common predators they may encounter include coyotes, wolves, hawks, and owls.

Lifespan

In the wild, they will live an average of 2-3 years, but in human care they have been known to live up to 20 years.

Reproduction

Females are more monogamous, while males tend to be polygamous and don’t help raise their young. Their gestation period is approximately 63 days and litter size will be 1-7 kits. Kits are 3-5 oz at birth, have little fur, no teeth, and their eyes are closed.

Fun Facts

  • Their front paws are incredibly dexterous and contain roughly four times more sensory receptors than their back paws. This allows them to differentiate between objects without seeing them, which is crucial when feeding at night.
  • Raccoons are not very social and are typically solitary. Females will raise their young, but once the kits reach 10 months old they are ready to leave mom

Conservation Messaging

Raccoons are often seen as pests since they will go through your garbage, get close to humans, and sometimes scavenge throughout the day.

The common misconception with raccoons is that they have rabies if seen during the day and will attack you if you are near which is actually not true. Raccoons will flee a situation if they feel scared as long as they have an exit. So please keep your distance from them to allow them that opportunity to flee. Also just because you see a raccoon during the day, does not necessarily mean they have rabies, are sick or dangerous. Raccoons are opportunistic so they may be looking for food to support young, taking advantage of a garden while the dogs are inside, or trying to move to a new location to call home.

Ways to co-exist safely with raccoons are to keep your outside trash lids secure and keep trash inside your car while driving. Often time’s raccoons are killed when trying to eat such things as banana peels or apple cores on the side of the road and often get hit by cars. No matter where you are, always “Leave No Trace.”

Raven

Physical Description

Common ravens are the largest members of the Corvid family. On average, they can grow to be 22-27 inches long with a wingspan of 45-46 in. Most ravens are black and will have ruff feathers, called hackles, on their throat. Their strong, large feet and long bills can be used for ripping items open and even for using tools!

Predators

Few animals attempt to prey on ravens, but if they are feeding on a carcass, ravens may encounter polar bears, wolves, coyotes, and birds of prey and will defer to them. However, they also have been known to work cooperatively to distract other predators at feed sites while certain individuals eat.

Lifespan

In the wild, they have been known to live an average of 10-15 years, but in human care they have been known to live up to 40-50 years.

Reproduction

Ravens have been known to mate for life and will often fly with their wingtips touching those of their mate. The pair will build their nest in their established territory. The female will lay anywhere from 4-7 eggs at a time. She will incubate the eggs for about 20 days.

During that time, the male will hunt and bring food back to the female. Once hatched, the chicks will stay in the nest for about 4 weeks.

Fun Facts

  • They are often mistaken for crows, but ravens are usually larger and have longer, wedge-shaped tail feathers.
  • Ravens are highly intelligent and are able to make up to 30 different vocalizations! They are even capable of mimicking certain animal sounds or simple human words.

Conservation Messaging

Ravens are considered to be one of the smartest of the bird species and they’re incredible problem solvers! For instance, they will call larger carnivores over to a dead carcass in order for them to tear it open in which now they can eat it for themselves!

They’re considered scavenger hunters and will feed on pests such as rodents and insects but will also clean up carrion. This makes them a very important part of the ecosystem in which they live. Ecosystems have a natural balance so it’s important for us as humans to leave no trace!

Once you leave nature, no one should know that you’ve been there. This means bringing out anything that you’ve brought in. Additionally, leaving the environment unaltered is equally important. To learn more about the Leave no Trace initiative and their 7 principles for minimum impact practices, visit: www.lnt.org.

Rocky Mountain Elk

Physical Description

A male bull will weigh approximately 700 lbs and will be about 5 feet tall at the shoulder; while females will weigh approximately 500 lbs and be about 4 ½ feet tall. During the summer, their coat will be copper brown, but during the rest of the year, it will be light tan with their neck and legs being darker than the rest of the body.

Predators

Some of their predators include bears, wolves, cougars, and coyotes.

Lifespan

In the wild, they live an average of 15 years, but in human care they have been known to live into their 20’s.

Reproduction

The rut, or mating period, for elk begins in September and will last for about 10-12 weeks. During this time, male bulls will compete for and then defend a harem of females. Their gestation period is 240-262 days and will result in a single calf being born. Calves will be weaned by about 2 months of age but will remain with their mother for about a

Fun Facts

  • Also known as Nelson’s Elk, the Rocky Mountain Elk is the second largest member of the deer family, with Moose being the largest.
  • Only male elk have antlers, which they will shed and regrow every year. These antlers can weigh up to 40 lbs!

Conservation Messaging

Early settlers in North America caused a decline in certain elk populations because of overhunting and habitat loss. Their populations began recovering because of various conservation programs that worked on reintroducing elk to areas that had experienced extreme population decline or extinction and by creating programs to regulate hunting. One thing that we can do is support sustainable agriculture practices. By purchasing products that are certified by organizations such as the Rainforest Alliance and Bird Friendly, you are helping in the conservation of forests and habitats around the world.

Snowy Owl

Physical Description

Female snowy owls are larger than males and are speckled with black spots. Very thick plumage and heavily feathered legs and feet insulate snowy owls against extremely cold temperatures. Owl eyes are so big that there is little room for eye muscles, meaning owls can’t move their eyes. Instead, owls move their entire head turning their heads about 270 degrees in either direction.

Predators

Foxes, bobcats, coyotes, bears, and occasionally snakes and other birds of prey.

Lifespan

In the wild, owls live on average around 5-10 years. Under human care they can live up to 30 years.

Reproduction

Owls are usually solitary outside of breeding season. Male owls may bring offerings of food, dropping the item near the female, who is usually much larger, to catch her interest. If prey is scarce, only two or three eggs may be laid; if food is easily available, then six or more eggs may be laid. Chicks generally hatch two days apart, with the oldest chicks getting the most food. Young owl chicks are cared for by their mother for about three months.

Fun Facts

  • Lemmings are the most important food source for snowy owls, and their breeding is tied to the cyclic changes in lemming numbers.
  • Snowy owls are one of the heaviest owl species in North America.

Conservation Messaging

Most of the Bird of Prey here at the zoo are all rehabilitated birds who have sustained different injuries deeming them unreleasable. These birds fall victim to debris found on the side of the road. If it’s an apple core, banana peel, or some discarded trash it will attract their prey items which will then attract the bird of prey. Birds of prey have tunnel vision when hunting and will often not see a car coming. One simple way we can help is to dispose of all your trash properly, even natural items like apple cores and banana peels

Solomon Islands Skink

Physical Description

Solomon Island Skinks are typically up to 32 inches long with half of that body length being their tail. Their scales can be green but are usually speckled with light-brown or black. They have long, slender bodies and short front legs.

Predators

Predators they may encounter include birds of prey, snakes, and rats.

Lifespan

They live an average of 25-30 years.

Reproduction

Breeding occurs in the spring. They are ovoviviparous, which means that the female produces eggs she carries and hatches internally and gives live birth. Gestation lasts for 6-8 months and results in typically 1 offspring though twins are sometimes possible. Offspring will stay with the mother for up to 6 months and may be defended by both parents.

Fun Facts

  • The Solomon Island skink is also known as the prehensile-tailed skink or monkey-tailed skink. This is the largest species of skink and the only known skink species with a prehensile tail.
  • They are primarily arboreal and rely on their tail for grasping tree branches and helping to maintain balance and will sometimes form groups called a circulus.

Conservation Messaging

In our Reptile and Amphibian (RAD) center you will find many different reptiles and amphibians including venomous and poisonous species of snakes and frogs. Many of these animals fall victim to habitat loss in the wild. Many of the species here are found in South American habitats which are subjected to deforestation, damming of rivers, water pollution, and poor agricultural and management practices.

Tiger Salamander

Physical Description

Tiger salamanders have rounded heads, thick bodies, and thick tails. They can be anywhere from 7-14 inches long. Coloration will vary by subspecies but can be black, brown, gray, or yellow with gray or yellow stripes and/ or spots.

Predators

Tiger salamander eggs and larvae are preyed on by a wide variety of animals including fish, water birds, insects, frogs, and other salamanders. Adults can be preyed on by snakes, skunks, badgers, raccoons, and owls.

Lifespan

They live an average of 12-15 years in the wild but have been known to live longer than that in human care.

Reproduction

Typically, adult tiger salamanders only enter a body of water when they are ready to breed. Courtship rituals vary by species. Females will lay small clusters of eggs which she will attach to underwater plants or debris. The eggs will hatch in about 2 weeks.

Fun Facts

  • Though they rarely enter water as adults, the tiger salamanders still need to keep their skin, moist and so they stay burrowed under leaf litter or in the ground during the day and come out at night to hunt.
  • They have the greatest range of any North American salamander and are one of the largest terrestrial salamanders in the US.

Conservation Messaging

In our Reptile and Amphibian (RAD) center you will find many different reptiles and amphibians including venomous and poisonous species of snakes and frogs. Many of these animals fall victim to habitat loss in the wild. Many of the species here are found in South American habitats which are subjected to deforestation, damming of rivers, water pollution, and poor agricultural and management practices.

Timber Rattlesnake

Physical Description

Timber rattlesnakes can reach lengths of 3-5 feet, and that does not include their rattle. Their coloring can range from yellow to tan or brown to gray. They have a triangular-shaped head and usually have a dark line running from each eye to the jaw.

Predators

Predators they may encounter include hawks, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, and other snakes.

Lifespan

They live an average of 10-20 years.

Reproduction

During breeding season from spring to late summer, males will compete for females by doing courtship dances. They are ovoviviparous, which means that the female produces eggs she carries and hatches internally and gives live birth. The female will give birth to 5-14 offspring in late summer or early fall. She will then shelter and protect her offspring for the first week or so after birth.

Fun Facts

  • A rattlesnake’s rattle is formed by adding a “button” to the rattle every time they shed. These rattles often break, however, so they are not a good indicator of age.
  • This venomous snake can strike as far as 1/3-1/2 of their body length.

Conservation Messaging

In our Reptile and Amphibian (RAD) center you will find many different reptiles and amphibians including venomous and poisonous species of snakes and frogs. Many of these animals fall victim to habitat loss in the wild. Many of the species here are found in South American habitats which are subjected to deforestation, damming of rivers, water pollution, and poor agricultural and management practices.

Turkey Vulture

Physical Description

Vultures are very large birds with sharp, hooked beaks for tearing apart meat and wide wingspans. New World vultures have a distinctive bald head, an adaptation that helps reduce the risk of disease. Their strong immune system allows vultures to eat rotting and possibly infected meat without getting sick. They have long, horizontal nostrils with a space between them and lack a voice box, so they cannot make any sound except hisses and grunts.

Predators

Jaguars, mountain lions, hawks, eagles, and raccoons.

Lifespan

In the wild vultures live around 20 years. Under human care they can live into their 30s.

Reproduction

Vultures form monogamous pairs for life, and males will court females by showing off their flying skills, almost touching the females’ wing tip as they fly by. New World vultures lay their egg(s) in a cave or under a rocky overhang, under bushes or rock piles, or in tree hollows or fallen logs. Females lay one egg if she is a larger vulture and two eggs if she is smaller. Both parents incubate and feed the chicks. Chicks remain in the nest for 2-3 months until they learn how to find and compete for food.

Fun Facts

  • Most birds are believed to have a very poor sense of smell, but the Turkey Vulture is an exception, apparently able to find carrion by odor.
  • Vultures will urinate down their legs to cool the blood in their lower extremities, which helps regulate their body temperature.

Conservation Messaging

Most of the Bird of Prey here at the zoo are all rehabilitated birds who have sustained different injuries deeming them unreleasable. These birds fall victim to debris found on the side of the road. If it’s an apple core, banana peel, or some discarded trash it will attract their prey items which will then attract the bird of prey. Birds of prey have tunnel vision when hunting and will often not see a car coming. One simple way we can help is to dispose of all your trash properly, even natural items like apple cores and banana peels.

Tammar Wallaby

Physical Description

Tammar Wallabies are the smallest species of Wallaby, only reaching heights of around two feet and weights of 15-20 lb. Males are typically larger than females. Their coat of fur is short and dark grey in color though their sides may be red, and they may be tan underneath.

Predators

Dingoes are the main natural predator they face in the wild, but they also are preyed on by invasive species that were introduced to Australia, including foxes and feral cats. If they sense danger, they will give warning thumps with their hind legs.

Lifespan

In the wild, their average lifespan is under 10 years, but in human care, they live an average of 10-14 years.

Reproduction

Their gestation period is approximately 1 month, and the female will give birth to a single joey which will stay in the pouch for 8-9 months. The joey usually doesn’t poke out of the mother’s pouch until they are about 150 days old. The female may mate again after she gives birth but will pause the pregnancy for up to 11 months. This process is called embryonic diapause.

Fun Facts

  • Their tail is extremely important. The average length is 15-17 inches long, and it has several functions. The tail will help provide balance and can be used as a rudder, but it can also function almost like a third leg when they are sitting.
  • Wallabies live in groups called “mobs,” which may include up to 50 members. They have a fixed breeding season so that all offspring in the mob are born at the same time.

Conservation Messaging

Wallabies are currently listed as least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, just like many other Australian species, they face many threats to their habitats. One major issue is logging and clearing land for agriculture and property development. More than 50% of Australia’s land mass is used for agricultural purposes!

One thing that we can do is support sustainable agriculture practices. By purchasing products that are certified such as Bird Friendly Coffee, you are helping in the conservation of forests and habitats around the world.

Grant’s Zebra

Physical Description

Grant’s Zebras are roughly 5 feet tall and can weigh up to 800 lbs. Each zebra has a unique stripe pattern of black or brown and white stripes. Zebras have dark skin, black hooves, and dense fur, potentially to protect against the harsh African sun.

Predators

Common predators for zebras are lions, hyenas, leopards, cheetahs, and African wild dogs. When threatened, the herd will often form a circle around the most vulnerable members. Nearly 50% of calves are lost due to predation.

Lifespan

In the wild, they usually live 20-25 years, but under human care, they can live 30-40 years.

Reproduction

Births, usually a single foal, can occur any time of the year, and the gestation period is 360-396 days. Foals weigh 66-77 lbs at birth, are striped brown and cream, and can stand and nurse very soon after birth.

Fun Facts

  • Within each herd are cohesive family sub-groups composed of one stallion, several mares, and young zebras. Mares normally stay in the same family group for their lifetime.
  • Zebras will sleep in turns so that some members of the herd are always awake.

Conservation Messaging

Our Ostriches and Zebras are found throughout different areas of Africa. Like many other animals in Africa, habitat loss has been increasing due to human encroachment. Agriculture, infrastructure, and resource extraction are just a few of the contributions to the destruction of wildlife habitats in Africa. One thing that we can do is support sustainable agriculture practices.

By purchasing products that are certified by organizations such as the Rainforest Alliance and Bird Friendly, you are helping in the conservation of forests and habitats around the world.